Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.
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15 comments
Went to my LBS. They had only 3 items (not 3 colors, or combinations, only 3 helmets overall)... Not really impressed!
I picked up an S3 yesterday, trading in a twenty year-old Bell. The ability to support my LBS (Rock and Road) swung the deal, but I'd find it hard to spend more on a chunk of plastic-coated EPS, no matter how much R&D was performed.
Crazy legs: I mean including all costs, bar a few things like upper-management pay perhaps
I got an S3 on the first day of the amnesty deal. Traded in an ancient (but high end) Specialized helmet that I had lying around.
The manufacture date on the inside said Aug 2012 which seems fine by me, I don't care if they're about to introduce some new model - I was in need of a new helmet, the S3 fits the bill perfectly.
Presume you think that the R&D, manufacture, marketing, distribution and warranty costs should be funded from the directors pocket or something? Maybe the overheads to run the shop where you buy it should be deducted from staff wages?
If you're thinking of buying one anyway then it's a good deal. Bear in mind that each brand fits a slightly different head shape - I found Bell's Sweep and Ghisallo a much better fit than several Giro and Met ones I tried.
As for the markup, well that's the nature of business, they're not doing it for laughs. Offers like this help dealers compete against the pile-em-high online retailers. There are also plenty of cheaper models. Like Bell, lots of Specialized models meet the tougher CPSC and Snell helmet standards, so being cheaper doesn't mean it is less effective.
Last year's model? Not necessarily but IIRC the month and year of manufacture will be marked on the helmet, usually a sticker on the inside. Turnover of popular models will be high.
The terms and conditions say, "Trade in any cycle helmet from any brand into participating Specialized dealer and purchase a new 2013 S3, S3 Women's or Prevail helmet at a reduced price."
Is it all old stock then?
I would agree due to the new aero helmet Cav & Tom Boonan are wearing recently, but still a good offer.
It is 2012 stock at my LBS; i can't confirm that is the case elsewhere. I agree its still a very good deal though.
"and the offer is valid in store only while stocks last." My LBS had a delivery of 30 helmets to be used for the offer, general stock not included.
its a good offer, but its only selected colours. none of the team finishes and yes, you can trade in ANY old helmet. 'tis a good deal.
Wonder what this says about the mark-up there is in the normal price for these bits of polystyrene...
Agreed. They must be laughing all the way to the bank.
I see you can buy a kid's helmet from Decathlon for £4.99. I wonder if they would accept that as an exchange?! I threw my old Met helmet away. Damn!
Hmmm. I tried on a prevail, and the fit was awesome - it felt like it really encased my head rather than merely sat on it with just a bit at the sides. I couldn't drop £160 on a whim though, but this is more like it.
Not sure it passes the 'mushroom test' though.